Colchester Redcaps have paid tribute to one of their own and admitted being inspired by 101-year Joan Rich.

Joan, who was in the Royal Military Police during World War Two, is nearly two thirds through her epic challenge to walk 102 laps of Allenby Park in Felixstowe, before her 102nd birthday in September, to raise funds for NHS Charities.

Corporal Callum Smith, Lance Corporal Mark Pickard and Lance Corporal Che Tollan, who all serve with Colchester-based 156 Provost Company, 3rd Regiment Royal Military Police, joined Joan in the park and were struck by her fitness and stamina.

Cpl Smith said: "We accompanied Ms Rich on her 60th lap of the park whilst discussing her time serving with the RMP in Palestine and sharing stories of her service.

"We wanted to take part as we collectively felt inspired by Ms Rich and her time served, and it was an invaluable opportunity to represent the Royal Military Police as a whole.

"Ms Rich is a credit to herself given the conditions, completing nearly two laps in the midday heat at 101 years of age.

"At the end of the walk, she showed us her photo album which broke down her time served in Jerusalem, where she transported POWs during the conflict there."

Daughter Dian Rich has been accompanying Joan on her daily treks and set up the Just Giving page, which has now reached £20,412.

Diane writes daily updates and added: "The last time Joan walked round Allenby Park with Military Police, it was in the Allenby Park in Jerusalem in the 1940s.

"Today she was accompanied by three Military Police from 3RMP Colchester Garrison, to mark her 60th circuit of Allenby Park in Felixstowe. It was a hot day, so they were wearing shorts.